Longtime Friends of MIRA all know MIRA co-founder Dr. Hazel Ross, who was instrumental in many of our early accomplishments. Among her many other duties, she served as the MIRA administrator between 1984 and 1990. Lucky Friends of that era also met Hazel's mother, Elma (Elizabeth Margaret) Ross when she frequently traveled from Scotland to visit Hazel.
Elma Ross, 1910-2002
Although she was born in 1910, at the end of the Edwardian age, extended travel was most natural for this adventurous lady, who, for many years, would be seen behind the wheel of her Morris Minor convertible on her way to explore some odd corner of Scotland. Over the years she indulged in a wide variety of hobbies from studying languages (Gaelic and German) and woodworking to learning enough about car maintenance to understand her classic car. She was an avid bird watcher, knew her Scottish wildflowers, and for many years taught Scottish country dancing. Later, in her 60s, she took up mountain climbing and conquered many of the Scottish mountains. One memorable expedition required ropes and ice axes.
In recent years, Hazel traveled to Scotland each summer to spend time with Elma and her brother and sister-in-law. Sadly, but not unexpectedly, Elma passed away in August during this year's visit.
MIRA LibrarianClaas Shane and MIRA Co-Founder Sandra Weaver assemble shelving in the new Elma Ross Library.Elma had a long standing association with education through her work at the Lincluden Elementary School in Scotland and through her beloved husband Jack who was head of the math department at Dumfries Academy until his untimely death in 1952.
She was an early and unwavering supporter of the MIRA endeavor. Her daughter's daring plunge into this unique institution appealed to her sense of adventure. So we're honored that Hazel, her brother Colin, and his wife Hilary have chosen to remember her by naming our library extension the Elma Ross Library.
The MIRA Priscilla Bok astronomical library has become so overcrowded (it is, after all, one of the most extensive astronomical libraries in California), that many of the holdings are being moved to a dedicated room in the Ralph Knox Shops. We have recently added a large skylight so the room is now a bright and cheery environment for researchers and visitors alike who will be perusing the mysteries of the Universe under Elma's twinkling eye.
Elma in her award winning Morris Minor(Ed. Note: Furnishing of the Elma Ross Library is being undertaken by friends and acquaintances of Hazel and Elma. Nearly $3,000 of shelving and other furnishings is needed to complete the library. About half of that has already been raised and work on the library is well underway. If you would like to join in this remembrance with a specific contribution to the Elma Ross Library Fund, please contact Leslie at the MIRA office.)
Friend of MIRA Ken Hess sent us this composite image of Leonid meteors taken in November, 2001, from his home in Carmel using a 35mm lens at f/1.4 and ISO 400 film.
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Last Updated 12/14/02 DMC